How to Study in Turku for International Students

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Turku, one of the beautiful cities in Finland, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Turku currently has 3 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 0 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as University of Turku and Abo Akademi University.

Being able to study in Turku as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Turku, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Turku

The cost of your studies in Turku may vary depending on various factors such as your degree, program, and chosen university. In Turku, the average tuition fee for international students is 10,800 Euros.

Here are some of the universities here with their tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Turku University of Applied Sciences 11,500 Euros 11,500 Euros - 11,600 Euros
Abo Akademi University 10,000 Euros - 12,000 Euros
University of Turku 10,000 Euros 8,000 Euros - 12,000 Euros

If you're looking for an affordable school to enter in Turku, check out our article on cheapest universities in Turku for international students.

Aside from tuition fees, you also need to consider other costs like your accommodation, travel, and daily expenses. It's a good thing to compute these costs beforehand to make sure that you have enough budget for your studies.

2. Requirements to Study in Turku for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Turku, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Turku, English and Swedish are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting YKI for Swedish.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Turku and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Abo Akademi University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of Turku

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Turku

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Turku have online applications available on their websites, like University of Turku and Abo Akademi University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Turku.

University of Turku

Abo Akademi University

Turku University of Applied Sciences

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Turku differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Turku.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Turku

If you’re going to study in Turku, you will need to apply for a student visa in Finland

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Finland. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Residence Permit for Studies.

To start your student visa application in Turku, you will need to present the following:

  1. A valid passport
  2. Provide proof of acceptance from a Finnish University
  3. Proof of financial means
  4. Have health insurance
  5. Provide a passport-style photograph
  6. Submit a color copy of the passport page featuring your personal information
  7. Provide proof of payment of tuition fees or documentation of scholarship

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Finland is 330 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Fill out the online application form
  2. Pay the application fee
  3. Book an appointment at the Finnish embassy or consulate in your country of residence

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Turku. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!